Williams and Sauber penalized financially after FP2 at Zandvoort
Both teams re-launched one of their single-seaters too dangerously during testing.
Certainly, this first day of testing has been costly for the Williams team. After Logan Sargeant was fined 100€ during the FP1 session for exceeding the speed limit in the pit lane, it is now the team’s turn to incur a financial penalty.
During the second free practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix, the Grove team dangerously sent its driver Alex Albon back on track in front of Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin. It is also specified that the Canadian driver had to brake to avoid a collision.
After listening to both drivers and their representatives and analyzing data and videos, it was decided that, under article 34.14a of the sporting code, the Williams team would be fined €5,000. The team and not the driver because for the governing body of world motorsport, the mistake comes from Williams and not from its driver.
Same punishment for Sauber. The Swiss team pushed Guanyu Zhou’s car back onto the track just in front of Daniel Ricciardo’s Racing Bulls’ front wing, forcing him to brake. As with Williams, it is Sauber that is penalized and not its driver with a fine of €5000.
Finally, the FIA specifies that the teams concerned by the sanctions have the right to appeal.
